[Doughboy304]

EKU I have read many of your post and respect your opinion because as I can tell you come across very honest. I wasn't at that game when Belfry threw the interception, but from my understanding it was a deep ball that was being thrown. For all the things I have posted about Belfry passing, I am not a pass heavy type of person either, but I am speaking of Belfry having some balance. I am more so speaking of the high percentage pass which consist of swing passes, screens, and utilizing tight ends. I am speaking of getting our athletes the ball in space where they can capitalize on their athleticism. Some passes have a higher percentage of completion than others as we all know. Let's think of it as a long hand off because if Johnson, Dotson, or Robinson make one guy miss they could very well take it to the house! Do I understand the philosophy of run first? yes. Haywood has done it for years and teams still can't stop it, but the better the teams get the more we need that balance attack. Of course all of this is purely my opinion and I haven't gotten a win coaching a midget league team (lol), but I've played and been coached by one of the best offensive minds I've seen in the mountains.

The irony of this post is the fact that had Belfry not attempted a pass to end the 1st Half in their first matchup with Central, the Pirates may very well have a 3A Championship. That Pick 6 turned the game upside down and completely shifted momentum. Instead of going into the half down by 3 after having just turned the ball over, instead Central went in up 4 getting the ball to open the 2nd Half.

Belfry has the pieces to have a very, very dangerous passing game. Messer and Dotson both are good playmakers and can get open, the backs, specifically Robinson have good hands..and both Williams and Warren can throw the ball well. The issue with Belfry is you can only have a set number of options on any given play and when the pass is expected (3rd and Long, 2nd and Long) it becomes much easier to defend. The best chances for success are 1st and 2nd Down, but an incompletion suddenly puts you in the long yardage situations that kill the Belfry offense.

Do I get frustrated Belfry doesn't utilize the pass more? Sure. I also understand Haywood's philosophy and the fact that forcing a throw when it is unnecessary goes completely against what Haywood is trying to accomplish.